Assistant City Engineer Mitch Wenum and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) specialist Adam Meade will talk about GIS with the Austin City Council during the council’s work session on Monday.

GIS is a program used by many local governments as a means to gather, manage and analyze data. This data can pertain to structural purposes, such as public works, to other uses, such as elections.

The city’s current system, AutoCAD, only provides basic information, causing the Public Works Department to rely on old maps that can be difficult to locate. GIS would allow for the city to better retain information. It would also allow for information sharing with the County and Austin Utilities.

The city’s share of the GIS subscription cost would be $12,500, budgeted for 2020 between the sanitary sewer and storm sewer fund.

Planning and Zoning Administrator Holly Wallace will also discuss a proposed vacant building registration ordinance during the work session. Because vacant buildings attract vandalism and trespassing and impact nearby properties due to neglect, the ordinance’s purpose would be to “protect public health, safety and welfare by identifying and regulating vacant buildings within the city.” Registration would require the building to be subject to inspection and hold the owner liable for maintenance.

Wallace was originally scheduled to talk about the ordinance during the June 17 meeting, but was unable to attend.

The council’s next regular meeting will be held on Monday, July 15, in the Council Chambers located in the basement of City Hall. The work session will take place in the Council Chambers immediately following the meeting.

For a complete agenda, visit www.ci.austin.mn.us/city-council.